Data from Intrathecal Viral Vector Delivery of Trastuzumab Prevents or Inhibits Tumor Growth of Human HER2-Positive Xenografts in Mice

Breast cancer brain metastases are a deadly sequela of primary breast tumors that overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2); median survival for patients with these tumors is 10 to 13 months from the time of diagnosis. Current treatments for HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases are invasive, toxic, and largely ineffective. Here, we have developed an adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vector to express the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) in vivo. A single prophylactic intrathecal administration of AAV9.trastuzumab vector in a novel orthotopic Rag1^−/− murine xenograft model of HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases significantly increased median survival, attenuated brain tumor growth, and preserved both the HER2 antigen specificity and the natural killer cell–associated mechanism of action of trastuzumab. When administered as a tumor treatment, AAV9.trastuzumab increased median survival. Dose-escalation studies revealed that higher doses of AAV9.trastuzumab resulted in smaller tumor volumes. Our results indicate that intrathecal AAV9.trastuzumab may provide significant antitumor activity in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases.

Significance: Intrathecal delivery of trastuzumab via adeno-associated virus has the potential to become a novel, integral part of adjuvant therapy for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases. Cancer Res; 78(21); 6171–82. ©2018 AACR.